Enhancing Material Properties Through Biomimetic Topological Interlocking

Natural material such as teeth enamel,nacre from mollusk shells and tortoise shell exhibit a combination of outstanding properties.These materials are highly mineralized but can still combine properties of strength,toughness and hardness at the same time.On contrary,engineering materials which are equivalently highly mineralized are very brittle.These unique features of natural materials are linked to the presence of topological interlocking in their structures.Their topologies comprise of small building blocks interlocking at weaker interfaces,as opposed to continuous monolithic blocks.Materials engineers are working hard to mimic these properties into engineering materials.In the current work we enhance material properties through Biomimetic Geometrical Interlocking.A new kind of topological interlocking structures was developed.Interlocking tabs were designed and optimized to obtain optimum parameters.Performance relevance of the tabs was analyzed through physical experiments of 3D printed tabs and Finite Element Simulation of CAD models.The new tabs' assembly are a combination of previously researched geometries.The main larger profile comprised of concave element whose optimum profile angle of ? = 16 ? was realized after the tests.Optimum geometry of jigsaw element was retained from previous researchers.In this analysis,the optimum tabs of =16,failed at complete pullout with about 24% global strain.In comparison,the reference tensile specimen failed at about 1.9% strain.In terms of energy absorbed,an intact 3D printed reference specimen realized 17 8)? before fracturing,while 3D printed interlocking tab of 16 ? recorded 36.7 8)? of energy absorption.The results showed a great improvement in both global strain,tensile strength and energy absorbed per unit volume,as compared to earlier uncombined profiles.